I said “YES!”

We grew together, hanging out as mates through our awkward teen years.

We shared belly aching laughs and heart broken tears. And became one another’s confidant and advice giver.

And even though we were oceans apart throughout most of our young adult years, we always remained in touch.

Cut to September 15th 2014 in a beautiful jungle hidden above a beach in Nicaragua. It was our one year anniversary.

(That’s right, it took us 17 years to see what was right in front of us).

It was on this day, exactly 6 months ago, that my childhood best friend and boy next door dropped his knee and asked me to marry him!

It was the easiest “YES” I’ve ever uttered through the happiest of tears. A moment I will never forget and will treasure for the rest of my life.

It’s a funny thing when you’re an owner of a blog. It really does become your digital diary. A place to share thoughts, discoveries, fears and triumphs.

I often marvel at how something that began for me as a hobby has grown into something much more than I ever could have dreamed of.

But there’s always that burning question… How much should one share of one’s private life?

It’s a delicate balancing act. A line I’m sure many bloggers trip on and dance along; never quite sure of the answer.

My fiancé (I still can’t believe I get to call him that!) is rather shy when it comes to my public social media profile. But he gave me his blessing to share this beautiful news because it truly is a special time in our lives. (I can’t wipe the smile of my face just thinking about it as I type.) A joyous time and one I will be living and breathing over the next few months as we start off on the road towards tying our very own little love knot.

So after 6 months of umming and ahhing, I have decided to share my journey down the aisle in the form of little diary entries filed under “Peanut Love”. Passages of my experiences of this engaged life. My thoughts, my fears, my excitement, choosing the dress (oh my!) and all the decision making madness that comes with planning a wedding. A road many have been down before and many one day will.

(For those of you who have taken this path before, I welcome any advice you wish to throw my way!)

If I’m honest, the wedding industry is rather intimidating and somewhat overwhelming to me. The choices are endless! But I’m determined to enjoy the process, commit to my mantra of planning a stress free wedding and avoid that ever feared label of “bridezilla!”. Haha!!

Love, a very smily Peanut xo

PSST!

To make sure you don’t miss any of my wedding diary entries, join my virtual village by signing up to my free updates up the top! xo

Congratulations. The proposal sounds so romantic. I hope your lives together remain as enriching and as happy as they have been and I wish you both all the happiness in the world. Good luck for the future

First thing, Congratulations!!! I would like to share with you how we decided to have a very small wedding. My favorite aunt along with my mom and best friend spent a day with me shopping for my dress. My one attendant was free to wear a dress of her choosing. Including the minister there nine people total at my wedding. We walked out into our good friends’ garden and choose a location at that very moment for the ceremony. Our time and money was spent on a wonderful honeymoon in the mountains. That was over twenty five years ago and I have never regretted our decision! No stressed out moments over all the planning, I have only memories of a wonderful girls’ day of shopping, a beautiful fall afternoon wedding and an even more beautiful honeymoon. Regardless of what your plans are remember that it’s your big day and it should be whatever you and your fiancé want. Best wishes for a marriage filled with love and adventure!

Wow what a beautifully intimate wedding. I love that. So simple yet, evidently, so memorable and special.
You’re absolutely right. Sometimes I have to remind myself that it is OUR day. I feel like I spend a lot of time trying to please everyone else and their desires. Particularly my parents. Thank you for sharing a piece of your day with me.
Gemma x

Congratulations Gemma! What wonderful news! I look forward to reading your ‘Peanut love’ passages! Wishing you both an eternity of love and happiness together, may it contain all the right ingredients: a heap of love, a dash of romance, a large sprinkling of humour and a spoonful of adventure!! x

I have noticed the ring many weeks ago in one of your photos. I had a feeling you want to wait with sharing the news. It is a tough decision: to share or not to share. I am glad you did. You will make a beautiful bride. Congratulations!! P.S. Knowing your style (from the photos) I can not wait to see what you are going to come up with for your wedding 🙂

Congratulations Gemma and Matthew!! I Always thought you would end up getting married just by looking at your amazing pictures togheter!! From my own experience it’s really hard not to become a bridezilla haha but only time will tell…

Haha! I hear that the old bridezilla trait can creep up on you before you even realize you’ve become one.
Fingers crossed I can keep her at bay. I’m generally a pretty chilled person but who knows! As you said… time will tell…Haha.
xx

Congratulations to the Peanuts 😉 I’m very happy and excited for you and Matthew, Gemma! Hope you nothing but a lifetime of happiness. You already have some of the most important ingredients (outside of love) honesty, trust and commitment. It takes a lot for any commitment be it friendship or romance to keep it going strong. You and Matthew have already had 18 fantastic years together. ☺

The Peanuts! I love that!
Thank you for words. I do feel very lucky that Matt and I have a shared history that does back over nearly 2 decades.
I feel it will serve us well as we have the deep rooted foundations for a solid and committed marriage.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
Peanut x

So I just read your story and it reminded me of my childhood love too. Our story is quite similar to yours except that he is on the other side of the world and I have not heard from him for 6 years now. I miss him so much, I honestly compare him to every guy I meet and noone has ever come close to the perfect human being he was. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep when I am going through a rough time, wishing that he was there. My love for him is everlasting and honestly dont believe anyone will be close to my heart as he is.

I am really happy for you Gemma, wish you both a long lasting happy marriage. Nothing beats being inlove someone that knows you so well, Your bestfriend. We miss you on neighbours. Xx

Congratulations!!! It’s such a wonderful time… And how lovely that you took some time to keep this news among your nearest and dearest. Thank you for sharing and I really look forward to reading your posts leading up to your special day. Enjoy it all!! XxXx

Thank you Lyndsey!
I hadn’t thought of it that way but yes, you’re absolutely right! It was special sharing the news with my nearest and dearest first for 6 months.
Friends and family are everything to me.
Thank you so much for your well wishes. It means so much!
Gem xx

Congratulations Gemma! I am sure it will be one of those “till death do us part” happy stories. May I ask where is the polka dress from? It’s been a while since I am looking for that type and yours seems like the one I’m looking for.

Congrats pretty girl! i just got engaged on valentines day and i knew my fiance for a while to!!!! I wish nothing but God’s blessing on you! We are getting married april 2016! so much planning to do!!!!! Good luck with your planning. remember always choose a hall and date 1st! pick your wedding dress before you make a decision on bridesmaid dresses thats what i am doing getting my dress first then choosing. and don’t stress! <33333

And Goodluck to you! And you have a date and venue set. How wonderful. April will roll around sooner than you think.
And great advice on choosing the dress before the bridesmaids dresses. I’m definitely going down that route too! xx

Hi Gemma, congratulations to both of you! May your days be filled with happiness, joy, love, laughter and good health. I look forward to read more of your blog posts and see the beautiful photos you share. All the best with the planning xo